Tag: DT Daron Payne

When they last met: Commanders and Falcons

The defense saved the game for Washington the last time these two teams played.

“When they last met” is an ongoing series during the NFL season, recalling the preceding game between Washington and the next opponent on the Commanders’ schedule.

Washington 19, Atlanta 13 – Week 12, Nov. 27, 2021

Second & goal at the 4-yard line, Atlanta’s Marcus Mariota’s pass was deflected by Daron Payne and intercepted by Kendall Fuller in the end zone, saving Washington for a 19-13 victory over Atlanta.

Leading 19-13, the Commanders offense punted the ball to Atlanta, and the Falcons took over at their own 16-yard line with 5:03 remaining.

A Cordarrelle Patterson five-yard run gave the Falcons a first down at their own 30. Then Mariota found Olamide Zaccheaus for 45 yards and a second first down, this one at the Washington 25.

Tyler Allgeier ran five yards for a first down at the Washington 14. On 3rd & 1 from the 5, Montez Sweat was offside.

But on the next play, a 1st & goal from the Washington 2, Sweat broke through, tackling Mariota for a two-yard loss, setting up the game-winning play by Payne and Fuller.

It was the 2022 season in microcosm. The Washington offense struggling, the Washington defense keeping the Commanders in the game, and in this case, actually saving the game.

Trailing 3-0, Taylor Heinicke found Brian Robinson Jr for a 14-yard touchdown pass on the Commanders’ first possession, which was a 74-yard drive for a 7-3 lead.

Tied 10-10 in the third quarter, Heinicke passed to tight end John Bates for a 14-yard score and a 16-10 lead before Joey Slye missed the extra point.

Leading 16-13, Slye was successful on his 45-yard field goal attempt for a Washington 19-13 lead with 9:05 remaining.

Robinson rushed for 105 yards in his 18 carries, while Terry McLaurin led Washington receivers with 48 receiving yards on his four receptions.

Leading the Falcons were Allgeier and Patterson, who both rushed 11 times for 54 and 52 yards, respectively.

Jonathan Allen: ‘It’s definitely a new era’

Jonathan Allen calls this “by far” the most complete team he’s been on in seven NFL seasons.

Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen was himself, taking responsibility for the slow start Sunday.

Allen was making his weekly appearance this 2023 season on the “Sports Junkies” Monday mornings on 106.7 The Fan.

Rather than talk of how the offense had only scored 3 points, Allen told of how the defense made things hard for the team, getting off to a slow start and giving up touchdowns on Denver’s first three possessions.

He said he enjoyed “being able to come back after playing so poorly defensively in the first quarter and tighten things up and give our team a chance to win.”

Then Allen quickly praised the offense, “Hats off to our offense; they played a great game. Guys made plays when they needed to, and it was great to get the victory.” He feels “it’s definitely a new era.”

Allen credited the Broncos offense for making plays and also added the Commanders defense contributed by having some communication errors, and they were “not gap sound” at times.

Down 21-3, Allen declared, “On the sidelines nobody was screaming at each other; nobody was defeated. Let’s just calm down, slow down; it’s an 18-point game, there’s lots of game left. Let’s do it one play at a time.”

When the offense suddenly scored on their last two possession of the first half, Allen said he saw the score had become 21-14, and he thought, “We’re good.”

Having Chase Young back in the lineup was an encouragement. Allen said, “It felt great! I’m looking forward to having a fun season with him.”

“This is by far the most complete team I have had (in the NFL),” Allen expressed. “It’s going to be a fun season.”

Regarding linebacker Jamin Davis’ improved play, Allen pointed to the fact that Davis actually only started one year in college, and the transition to the NFL can be very difficult. But he sees Davis playing faster and sees a good year for Davis.

He also pointed out Daron Payne is really living up to his performance of last season, and this is why the team signed Payne to his new lucrative contract.

Emmanuel Forbes is a rookie Allen really likes thus far. “You would think he has been in the league five or six years. He is level-headed, calm, just a ball player. I love it.”

When Denver scored on the Hail Mary attempt as time expired, Allen said, “I was so tired I didn’t even know what to think at that point. The way the ball bounced, I guess they got lucky. I really don’t know what to say about that.”

Allen is excited about new Commanders quarterback Sam Howell. He said he was impressed with Howell’s preparation this last week and that the team is believing in Howell’s ability and leadership.

The rest of the team can learn by listening more to Jonathan Allen; that much is altogether certain.

Commanders’ Mason Brooks and Phidarian Mathis battled Tuesday

One undrafted rookie stood out Tuesday.

Tuesday was Washington’s first day in pads, and now more know of Mason Brooks.

Head coach Ron Rivera had the team doing some one-on-one work in pads. Thus, the linemen in the trenches squared off with intensity.

The Commanders signed Brooks as an undrafted free agent following the 2023 NFL draft. The right guard out of Ole Miss made an impression Tuesday against defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis — Washington’s second-round pick in 2022.

The defensive line has been getting the better of the offensive line thus far in training camp. It should not be surprising. Look how much the Commanders have invested in the defensive line over the offensive line.

But when Brooks got the best of Mathis, offensive coach Juan Castillo became very excited for Brooks. So they ordered the two to go at it again, and Brooks again got the best of Mathis, this time driving Mathis to the ground.

Following practice, Mathis was asked about his day.

“It was a good day, man. I feel like the defense came out strong; we played physical, just helping the offense get better today. I think it was a great first day.”

As for the battle with Brooks? Mathis replied,

“It’s just a lot of excitement, man. It’s just the first day getting back at it; just talking a little trash. It’s just trying to get each other better.”

Mathis went down in the season opener last season, spending the rest of the season on injured reserve.

“It was long, it was kind of heartbreaking, just for the first game to go out like that. But at the same time, it was a big humbling experience, just sitting out, getting to watch those guys go out every Sunday and play. It made me look at the game differently. You just never know when it’s your last play, so you got to take everything serious. Never take this game for granted.”

Mathis realizes it is a privilege for him to have fellow tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne:

“Their game is just flawless. Those two guys together, man, they’ll attack a lot of offenses. It’s a blessing for me just to be behind those guys learning each day, just watching their game so I can add it to mine.”

Mathis said he is actually “reminding myself I can do this. This is why I got drafted here. Showing everybody that I was the second pick for a reason. I’m just coming back for what I left on the table. I left a lot out there.”

Mathis hopes to play much more in his second season.

“Whenever my name is called, I’m just trying to go in there and do my job and help out the team.”